The GOP-led Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has tapped as its consumer protection chief an industry lawyer who has represented companies like Facebook and Equifax, both of which are under investigation by the agency for mishandling user data.

Andrew Smith was named bureau chief Wednesday after a 3-2 party-line vote among the among the agency’s commissioners. Chairman Joseph Simons blasted the two Democrats on the commission for their “unprecedented opposition” to Smith’s appointment.

“I am disappointed that two of my new colleagues have chosen to turn Mr. Smith’s appointment into a source of unnecessary controversy,” Simons said in a statement. “I am highly confident that Mr. Smith will be an effective leader of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. He is widely respected as one of our country’s best and most experienced consumer protection lawyers.”

Simons dismissed concerns about Smith’s record, saying that most of the bureau’s work is handled by career staffers who will be able to take up the slack in the event that Smith must recuse himself from an investigation. An FTC spokesman did not respond when asked if what matters Smith would recuse himself from.